Beaches in Arraial do Cabo
Arraial do Cabo has beaches for every mood — and Massambaba is 200 m from one of them. Living here, you learn that each beach has its own right moment: the early-morning beach, the snorkeling beach, the hiking beach, the boat beach. This guide helps you choose.
Praia Grande
Praia Grande is the main beach of Arraial do Cabo — the longest in the city, with around 2 km of accessible shoreline. From Massambaba Hostel, it is exactly 200 m on foot: close enough for a walk before breakfast, barefoot, towel under your arm.
It is a long, open beach with plenty of space even at peak season. The wind can be strong — locals grow to love it. The sunset here is the most beautiful in town — the sun sets straight into the sea, with golden light taking over everything. A scene that never gets old.
Prainha
Prainha is a smaller stretch of sand sheltered by rocky outcrops, with calmer and shallower water. You can reach it by car or on foot via a short descent. The natural protection of the rocks tames the waves and keeps the water still — good for snorkeling on your own, without a guide or anything beyond a mask and fins.
On moderately windy days, when Praia Grande is choppy, Prainha tends to stay calm. A solid tip for anyone who wants to swim without the swell.
Praia do Forno
Praia do Forno takes the most effort — and delivers the biggest surprise. Access is by a 20-minute trail from Prainha, or by boat as one of the stops on the tour. Those who hike in arrive at a small, well-preserved cove wedged between rocks, with water in a shade of green that looks artificial but is entirely real.
The shallow floor is full of marine life — perfect for snorkeling. Because it is harder to reach, it tends to be less crowded. Worth every step.
Praia dos Anjos
Praia dos Anjos is the natural harbour of Arraial do Cabo. Visually it is more understated — it lacks the spectacular colours of the other beaches — but it plays a central role in the town: this is where almost all boat tours depart from, including ours.
The bay is calm and sheltered, with boats moored right on the sand. For anyone who wants to understand how the town works day to day, strolling along Praia dos Anjos early in the morning while the fishermen are heading out is an experience in itself.
Ilha do Farol
Ilha do Farol is the postcard beach of Arraial do Cabo — the one that appears in every photo. Very fine white sand, shallow turquoise water, a peninsula with a lighthouse in the background. Access is by boat only, departing from Praia dos Anjos.
It is one of the stops on the boat tour and usually the most anticipated. The combination of snorkeling on arrival and sunbathing on the sand is hard to beat. As part of the APA Marinha de Arraial do Cabo, the rules matter — no conventional sunscreen, no collecting marine animals, no litter.
Pontal do Atalaia
Pontal do Atalaia is home to the most famous staircase in Arraial — and one of the most photographed landscapes in Brazil. 225 wooden steps drop down the headland to the prainhas: white sand, turquoise water and the open ocean ahead. You can get there by car or taxi to the base and walk down, or come straight to the prainhas by boat — it's one of the stops on the tour.
How to reach each beach
- Praia Grande: on foot, 200 m from Massambaba Hostel.
- Prainha: on foot (15–20 min from Praia Grande) or by car (parking nearby).
- Praia do Forno: trail from Prainha (20 min) or by boat on the tour.
- Praia dos Anjos: by car or on foot through the town centre (15–20 min).
- Ilha do Farol: by boat only, departing from Praia dos Anjos.
- Pontal do Atalaia: by car or taxi to the base and down the staircase, or by boat to the prainhas.
If you want to cover the full circuit without depending on a car, the boat tour is the most efficient way — and the most beautiful. At Massambaba we go out with our partner boat @e.missmayra, snorkeling included, with hostel guests only.